RFPL hosts in-person genealogy meetings
BELLOWS FALLS - Starting on Thursday, Sept. 22, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, Wayne Blanchard will host the first of weekly in-person meetings at the Rockingham Free Public Library to help people explore their family history.
One of the best free resources is the FamilySearch.org website. Attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop computer or a tablet to do some hands-on research. Library computers are also available for those who might need one.
This meeting will focus on FamilySearch because it is free and available both in the library and at home. The shared family tree is a collaborative effort like Wikipedia, and it can be very helpful to see what others have added to your family. Although there is the possibility of errors, many users add documents to back up the information they have put in the tree, which are particularly helpful in doing research.
Everyone is welcome, from those who are just getting started to expert family historians.
These meetings are free and open to the public. For more information, email programming@rockinghamlibrary.org, call 802-463-4270, or stop by the Rockingham Free Public Library at 65 Westminster Street.
Manitou holds healing walk
WILLIAMSVILLE - The Manitou Project will hold a healing walk on Friday, Sept. 23, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., rain or shine. The walk will be led by Fred Taylor and will include poems or other readings and chances to share about the experience.
The Manitou Project is located at 300 Sunset Lake Road. Directions: go 1.4 miles up Sunset Lake Road from Williamsville Road, sign on right. Road closure does not affect this access. Or 5.6 miles from Route 9 in West Brattleboro over the top of Sunset Lake Road. Meet at the parking lot at 4 p.m. For information, contact Taylor at 802-254-2675.
Grand opening set for Rockingham Urine Recycling Depot
WESTMINSTER - The Rich Earth Institute is hosting the grand opening of a urine recycling depot at the Rockingham Recycling Center on Route 5 on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:00 a.m. Join Rich Earth at this event to learn how Rockingham area residents can now bring both their peecycling and recycling to the center.
Human urine contains a wealth of vital plant nutrients. By collecting urine, what is thought of as waste can become a valuable resource rather than a source of nutrient pollution. Rich Earth pasteurizes the contributions of local urine donors to provide as a sustainable fertilizer to local farms.
Rich Earth currently operates a urine reclamation program in Brattleboro. The expansion of the program into the Rockingham area will be the first time that Rich Earth's community-scale model has been replicated in a new location. Rich Earth's vision is that this program will demonstrate how community adoption of ecological sanitation can continue to expand across the country.
At the ribbon cutting ceremony, the inaugural gallons of “liquid gold” will be pumped into the depot. Rich Earth will have portable urine fertilizer collectors available for new urine donors to take home and start peecycling. There will be snacks made with produce grown in the Rich Earth demonstration garden. Contact julia@richearthinstitute.org to learn more or sign up to become a urine donor.
Estey Organ Museum hosts annual 're-homing' season
BRATTLEBORO - Looking for parts to repair your reed organ? Wishing you had a parlor organ for your parlor? In search of well-aged pieces of black walnut? All are invited to Estey Organ Museum's (EOM) fifth annual re-homing season, this year in partnership with the Brattleboro Historical Society (BHS).
This season's events will be held on two Saturdays, Sept. 24 and Oct. 8, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the museum, 108 Birge Street, in Brattleboro.
These events, which began in the fall of 2015, are a way for EOM and BHS to get their duplicate and non-museum quality organs into the hands of those who will use and enjoy them. This is consistent with the Estey Museum's mission “to promote the continued use and enjoyment of Estey organs.”
Many of the instruments could be rehabilitated by cleaning and bellows repair, but others are musically unusable. Although purists may decry the idea of turning a musical instrument into a desk or liquor cabinet, organizers say, that is still a way to respect and enjoy the fine woodworking and craftsmanship of Estey workers of long ago.
Dummerston Historical Society announces Sunday hours
DUMMERSTON - The Dummerston Historical Society will be open Sunday, Sept. 25, from 2 to 4 p.m. This is an opportunity to explore Dummerston history, review photographs of past exhibits and programs, search genealogies, and discover the many artifacts of the Society's collection.
Albums featuring Houses of Dummerston, Slab Hollow, West Dummerston Village and Post Office, West Dummerston Covered Bridge, the more than 30 published Authors of Dummerston, and many others are available for viewing and discussion.
This is a great opportunity for children and adults to visit the Historical Society, originally a schoolhouse, in Dummerston Center, next to the Town Office. A board member will be available to help answer any questions.
The building is handicapped accessible and admission is free of charge. For more information, email gailsvt@gmail.com or call 802-254-9311. The society will also be open on Sunday, Oct. 9, as part of the Dummerston Apple Pie festival, and on Sunday, Oct. 23, from 2 to 4 p.m. both days.
Vermont Wildlife Festival comes to Mount Snow
WEST DOVER - On Sunday, Sept. 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mount Snow Resort, the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum presents their annual Wildlife Festival. They will have live animals, and guest speakers discussing hunting, wildlife rescue, fishing, and birdwatching. More than 25 different groups representing different aspects of enjoyment and participation in nature will be on hand.
In addition to full-day displays and conversation, the Wildlife Festival features up-close live animal programs, fly-fishing demos, guided walks, kids' activities, and food available throughout the day.
While the museum says it gratefully accepts donations to help fund the event, admission and parking are free. For more information, visit vermontmuseum.org or facebook.com/vermontmuseum.
Senior meal served in Dummerston
DUMMERSTON - Evening Star Grange and Senior Solutions will be serving their second meal in September on Wednesday, Sept. 28, with inside seating or take-out. Reservations are suggested, but walk-ins will be seated and fed as long as food is available.
Take-outs may be picked up from 11:30 to 1 p.m., and the inside meal is served at noon. The menu includes ham, macaroni and cheese, and marinated carrots, with baked apples for dessert. Suggested donations are $3 for those 60 and over and $4 for those under 60.
This meal is open to residents of Dummerston and surrounding towns. To make a reservation, call the Grange at 802-254-1138 and leave name, phone number, and number of meals desired, preferably by Tuesday evening to allow planning for enough food.
NECCA seeks board members
BRATTLEBORO - The New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA), a nonprofit circus arts education training facility, is recruiting prospective board members.
Ideal candidates are those who want to volunteer their time to ensure that NECCA continues to fulfill their mission and strategic plan. The board of directors is made of nine people drawn from the wider regional community and national circus community.
Each member brings a particular expertise, as well as a general willingness to give their time, talent, and treasure to support NECCA's future.
Board members are asked to commit to a three-year term, attend monthly board meetings, and serve on at least one committee.
Those interested may send an email by Oct. 1 indicating their interest and a copy of their CV/resume to board president Elizabeth Wohl at elizabeth.r.wohl@gmail.com. For more information about NECCA, visit CircusSchool.org.